There is very little European research on intensive care nursing.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Critical Care↗
Biomedical subjects
T Suominen
Publications and source records attributed to T Suominen.
Who provides support and how? Breast cancer patients and nurses evaluate patient support.
Breast cancer patients' opinions of the support they receive have been studied from the viewpoint of both patients and nurses. However, few studies have compared the opinions of both patients and nurses. A project was designed to investigate the support provided for breast cancer patients in Finland and the evaluation of this support by patients and nurses. Two questionnaires were developed, and 109 patients and 125 nurses responded. Both patients and nurses reported that patient support was insufficient before and after hospitalization. Patients primarily expected informative support, whereas nurses underlined the role of psychological support. Furthermore, during hospitalization patients felt that they did not receive the support that they needed, whereas nurses felt that they provided a great deal of support. The theoretical assumption was that patients find it important that the health-care staff have a pleasant and friendly attitude toward their patients. This topic was one of the variables measured. The current study confirmed previous research that patients consider the attitude of the health-care staff important for their recovery. It was found in the statistical analysis that both groups of subjects usually stressed the importance of the same support-related issues. However, as patients and nurses seem to disagree on the most important forms of support, further studies are needed to explore the underscoring factors.
Adult↗
Nurses' role in informing breast cancer patients: a comparison between patients' and nurses' opinions.
The present study was conducted to determine which nursing care activities in informing breast cancer patients are considered important by the patients themselves and their nurses. One hundred and nine breast-operated women and 125 nurses participated in the study. All patients had contracted breast cancer in the previous 3 years but not within the previous 3 months. Ward and clinical nurses from one university and six area hospitals were contacted. The patients considered that the information that they had received and their level of knowledge of their own situation was not conducive to good recovery. The nurses' opinions were in agreement, although their overall assessment of the situation was more positive.
Adult↗
Breast cancer patients' perceived participation in health care: how do patients themselves and nurses assess this participation?
The purpose of this study was to compare breast cancer patients' perceived participation in their own care with nurses' perceptions of such participation. Both groups reported that patients are able and willing to take part in their own care more actively than allowed under the present health care system. Nurses also reported that they do provide patients with opportunities for participation.
Adult↗
How do nurses assess the information received by breast cancer patients?
The aim of the study was to clarify how nurses assess the information targeted at breast cancer patients before, during and after hospitalization. The sample group consisted of 176 nurses from surgical and radiological wards and clinics in southwest Finland. The study used responses to a questionnaire investigating breast cancer patients' recovery. Of the sample, 71% responded to the questionnaire. Log-linear modelling was used for the final statistical analysis of the results. The findings obtained by log-linear modelling showed a cumulative effect. Various associations were seen in the responses of the nurses on how they assessed the information received by patients. Patients who were considered well-informed before hospitalization were similarly considered during their hospital stay. Nurses consider that they give their patients insufficient information. Further, nurses are not clear about their own role in the distribution of information.
Attitude of Health Personnel↗
Breast cancer patients--the support given by nurses.
The purpose of this part of a larger study on breast cancer patients' recovery was to analyse the support that nurses offer breast cancer patients before, during, and after their hospitalization, as seen from the nurses' viewpoint. The sample group consisted of 125 registered and radiological nurses at university and regional hospitals in southwestern Finland. A questionnaire was devised and mailed to the subjects. The statistical analysis of the data was based on percentage distributions, with correlations, cross-tabulation, and loglinear models. The nurses reported that patient support is inadequate before and after hospitalization. However, most nurses maintained that the patients were well supported in hospital by the health care staff. The same nurses considered that their duty was to offer information and try to ensure continuity of care for the patient. They regarded their work as challenging, and they paid more attention to patients' relatives, too. However, there were differences of opinion as to whether the nurses actually gave support or not. We concluded that the concept support and its different implications for different groups (e.g. patients, nurses) must be studied in more detail, since the nurses' viewpoint is the one upon which care is currently based.
Adult↗
Breast cancer patients' opportunities to participate in their care.
The purpose of this study was to analyze the opportunities and willingness of women to take care of themselves after an operation for breast cancer. The expectations and experiences which women had about their clinical supervision and support during their care were studied. The sample group consisted of one-sixth of the approximately 600 women in southwestern Finland who had developed breast cancer in the previous 3 years. A questionnaire was sent to the subjects. Statistical analysis of the data was based on percentage distributions with correlations, cross-tabulation and loglinear models. The patients reported that they were willing to take part in their own care but that, unfortunately, at all levels they received insufficient professional support and information. We concluded that our health care system insufficiently supports patients' recovery.
Adult↗
[Nurses' viewpoint of the effects of breast cancer of hospitalized patients on their continued participation in self care].
This article is focused on the viewpoint of nurses about the effects of breast cancer to a patient. What kind of opportunities as well as resources do the nurse notice that the patient has and how much does the nursing practice create possibilities for a patient to participate. The questionnaire developed was sent to special nurses, nurses, radiological nurses and specialized radiological nurses in clinics and wards of one university and six local hospitals (N = 125) in southwestern Finland. Seventy-one percent of respondents returned the questionnaire. The analysis of the data was based on percentual distributions, correlations and cross-tabulations. The main statistical analysis was made by using log-linear models. The meaning of breast cancer to a patient was seen to depend on patient's total life situation. The age, personality and values are imagined to effect how the person reacts in an illness situation. According to nurses patients have resources to participate in more active way in their care. The reasons set limits in patient's participation are seen to be unclear purposes in care and different kind of reasons based on health care staff, nursing practice, the organization and also patients.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
[Women's experience of care following breast surgery].
The purpose of this study was women's readiness and possibility of self-care after breast operation, and experiences and expectations which they had about their guidance with knowledge and skills and support during the care. A questionnaire was developed and sent to the subjects. The sample consisted of 109 women with breast cancer within the last three years. The statistical analysis of data was based on percentual distributions with correlations, cross tabulation and log-linear models. The patients described that they have good readiness to take part in their own care, but at all stages of care they got support and information insufficiently. Relatives were not supported enough. The action organised by cancer association was mainly considered positive.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Oncology nurses' attitudes towards alternative medicine.
Little is known about nurses' attitudes towards alternative medicine. The purpose of this study was to describe attitudes towards alternative medicine among nurses working on oncology wards in three university and one central hospital in Finland. The data were collected with a questionnaire specifically developed for this project. The response rate was 68.1% (n = 92). The nurses did not regard alternative medicine as a safe and natural method in the treatment of cancer. On the contrary, many nurses believed that alternative therapies are offered by quack doctors for financial gain. However, the nurses considered it important that cancer patients have the opportunity to talk about their use of alternative medicine both with nurses and physicians. Overall the results indicated that nurses' attitudes are for the most part negative. An interesting question that deserves further attention is whether this attitude is reflected in nursing practice.
Adult↗